WWE Spoilers: WWE confirms Batista's return date on Monday Night Raw, but how will company use him?

The news about Batista's rumored-then-leaked return to the WWE became official during the Dec. 23, 2013 edition of Monday Night Raw when WWE aired a series of videos advertising the return of "The Animal" on the Jan. 20 edition of Raw.

Batista will return six days before the Royal Rumble pay-per-view, and Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer reports the speculation that WWE might have Batista win the Royal Rumble match and face Randy Orton for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 30. PWInsider.com later confirmed that this is the most discussed option backstage, though the possibility exists that Batista could face The Undertaker in a rematch from WrestleMania 23.

The report also notes that Triple H negotiated the deal with Batista to return to the company. The money is not as much as Brock Lesnar received, but the contract still pays Batista quite a generous sum. The Animal will work almost a full-time but short-term schedule and will work pay-per-views and appear on television and at live events up to and after WrestleMania 30.

Batista has not appeared on WWE television since May 24, 2010 when he, in storyline, quit the company. He was in a wheelchair that night after he suffered injuries at the hands of John Cena during the previous night. Batista actually did leave the company after that and has not been on WWE television since that night.

What do you think, WWE fans? Are you happy to see Batista come back for another run? How should WWE use him when he returns? Let us know in the comments below.